BALTIMORE — Baltimore
City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced charges for crimes involving
defrauding disabled veterans and tricking people into theft schemes.
Bates said the cases are under the umbrella of the Older and Disabled Persons Unit, which he launched one year ago.
"We built this basically from scratch," Bates said.
Bates shared the update before kicking off an older adult event to connect with and hear directly from people Wednesday morning.
He
went over several case indictments, including a case involving Bryan
O'Neal Jones, who was charged Tuesday with 31 counts of felony theft and
financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult for allegedly soliciting
home improvement contracts and taking payments without completing work
and without a license.
Other cases involved a similar scheme with charges against David Coleman.
"One contractor received over $100,000 from a 70-year-old disabled
veteran who trusted him to do a full remodel of their home. Instead, he
did some partial work, did it shoddy, did it ineffective," explained
Economic Crimes Unit Chief Shari Greene.
Karen McAllister is charged with engaging in a felony theft scheme.
She's charged with taking advantage of her own grandmother, who has
since passed, but was in her 90s at the time.
Matthew Praglowski
is charged with physically abusing his 77-year-old grandfather. Jasmine
Monet is facing charges for incidents involving identity theft and
credit card fraud. Wenetha Leslie is charged with financial exploitation
of a vulnerable adult, felony theft, conspiracy and forgery for crimes
against her father.
Bates and his team said the goal is to expand the unit to keep bringing cases like these to justice.
"We
want to let everyone know that when your money is at risk, we take it
seriously. If there is elder abuse, we take it seriously, and we're here
to help," Greene said.
To report a crime, the one-stop helpline is 844-726-6378. The dedicated email address is odpuhelp@stattorney.org.
Michael Oher was reportedly paid $138,000 for his rights to The Blind Side, according to a new court filing by the Tuohy family.
According to PEOPLE,
court documents that were filed on Wednesday show that the retired NFL
star was paid $138,311.01 in 16 instalments across 16 years, from 2007.
The
former NFL player Oher filed a bombshell legal filing in August that
claimed he received nothing from the film and that Sean and Leigh Anne
Tuohy 'collectively received millions of dollars' while misrepresenting
their conservatorship.
Oher's attorney has been approached for comment. The film itself grossed over $300million after it came out in 2009.
The conservatorship between Oher and the Tuohy family, struck in 2004, was ended by a judge in Tennessee at the end of September.
In
Tennessee, a conservatorship removes power from a person to make
decisions for themselves, and it is often used in the case of a medical
condition or disability.
But
Oher´s conservatorship was approved 'despite the fact that he was over
18 years old and had no diagnosed physical or psychological
disabilities,' his petition said.
Shelby
County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes said she was disturbed that
such an agreement was ever reached. She said she had never seen in her
43-year career a conservatorship agreement reached with someone who was
not disabled.
In
August, Oher, 37, filed a petition in probate court accusing the Tuohys
of lying to him by having him sign papers making them his conservators
rather than his adoptive parents nearly two decades ago. Oher wanted the
conservatorship to be terminated, a full accounting of the money earned
off his name and story and to be paid what he is due, with interest.
He
accused the couple of falsely representing themselves as his adoptive
parents, saying he discovered in February the conservatorship agreed to
in 2004 was not the arrangement he thought it was - and that it provided
him no familial relationship to them.
Oher
claims the Tuohys have kept him in the dark about financial dealings
related to his name, image and likeness during the 19-year life of the
agreement.
The
Tuohys have called the claims they enriched themselves at his expense
outlandish, hurtful and absurd and part of a 'shakedown' by Oher.
Nine bankrupt nursing homes are being sold in the Pittsburgh area
free and clear of all claims, leaving 5,595 hourly workers out millions
of dollars in back pay they are owed.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carlota Bohm approved selling the
for-profit nursing homes, owned by South Hills Operations LLC, to
Palmyra, Pa.-based Kadima Healthcare for $53 million. The deal is
expected to close by Oct. 31.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice entered a judgment in
bankruptcy court for $35.8 million in back wages and penalties against
South Hills Operations LLC, which filed for voluntary protection from
creditors May 17 under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The
amount includes nearly $18 million in back wages alone.
But the sales agreement approved by Judge Bohm Sept. 30 freed the new
owners from all claims, which bankruptcy law typically allows.
Department of Justice attorney Cortney R. Robinson wrote in a court
filing that the debtors were “jointly and severally liable” for the
claim. She declined to comment further.
In July, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge William S. Stickman ruled that the nursing home owners had
violated labor law by systematically shorting wages for thousands of
workers at 15 area nursing homes, including the nine facilities sold to
Kadima.
Previously, the U.S. Department of Labor argued that a proposed sale
of the nursing homes was intended to “opportunistically offload” company
assets to frustrate the government’s efforts to recover the wages owed
to employees.
The nursing homes being sold are: The Grove at Greenville, Mercer
County; The Grove at New Wilmington, Lawrence County; the Grove at North
Huntingdon, Westmoreland County; The Grove at New Castle, Lawrence
County; the Grove at Washington, Washington County; The Grove at
Harmony, Butler County; The Grove at Latrobe, Westmoreland County;
Cheswick Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Allegheny County; and North
Strabane Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, Washington County. The
facilities have a total of 930 beds.
“The buyers and new operators shall not be liable for any claims the
United States or other federal government authority may have against the
debtors,” according to the sales agreement that was hammered out with
the new owners. The new operators “are free of any Department of Labor
claims.”
In addition to the nine facilities, four other related skilled care
centers were sold to Cedarhurst, N.Y-based Wecare Centers in July.
The sale agreement for the nine nursing homes also stipulated that
none of the existing labor agreements with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
had to be honored. At the same time, SEIU will be recognized as the
“exclusive bargaining agent” in negotiating new contracts.
An Upper West Side doorman is accused of stealing nearly $480,000
from a retired teacher and her husband after the woman moved into a
nursing home and later died — once disguising his voice to sound like
hers as part of the shifty scheme, Manhattan prosecutors said.
Alfredo Mateo, 38, allegedly started preying on the woman while she
was under a court-ordered guardianship due to incapacitation while her
spouse still lived at their apartment at 380 Riverside Drive before he
died in September 2022.
The day after his death, Mateo, of Yonkers, began depositing the
first of 26 checks he swiped from the teacher, writing most of the
checks to himself from the victim’s bank account, the Manhattan District
Attorney’s Office alleged.
He also allegedly stole $3,000 from the husband’s account.
Alfredo Mateo is arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday. Pool Photo/Curtis Means
While draining the couple’s coffers, he then allegedly schemed to take
money from the teacher’s annuity and pension that she earned from her
service as a city educator.
Mateo dug through a teachers’ retirement form mailed to the apartment
that her personal information was on to submit five false forms to the
retirement system between May 5, 2023 and Oct. 12, 2023, prosecutors
said.
Two of the forms were even submitted after the teacher died in July
2023 that led to the payout of her annuity and sought to switch her
direct deposit to Mateo’s bank account, according to the district
attorney’s office.
He also is accused of stealing several pension checks that were sent to the teacher after she died.
Mateo tried twice calling the Teachers’ Retirement System to switch
the phone number on her membership, and after failing the first time,
attempted to change his voice to sound like the woman, who was 91 at the
time, according to prosecutors.
Overall, Mateo allegedly stole a whopping $477,685, prosecutors said.
The doorman is accused of stealing nearly $480,000. Gabriella Bass
“Those who take advantage of the access entrusted in them to target
older community members and steal from hardworking New Yorkers will be
held accountable,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
Mateo is facing seven felony counts, including second-degree grand
larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property,
first-degree identity theft, second-degree criminal possession of a
forged instrument and related charges, the district attorney’s office
said.
Attempts to reach Mateo on Wednesday night were unsuccessful. His
lawyer, James Magee, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
To
better protect the state’s aging population and vulnerable adults,
Michigan Senate seeks to implement tools to better detect and address
cases of abuse
LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 2, 2024) — According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General,
more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of elder abuse.
Taking many forms — including scams, fraud, and theft — abuse and
exploitation pose a significant threat to the well-being of Michigan
seniors and other vulnerable adults. This harm can occur in the person’s
home, in the home of a family member, or in licensed settings and can lead to serious physical and psychological effectssuch
as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death. To
ensure Michigan’s growing population of aging adults can enjoy the
dignity, safety, and quality of life they deserve, Senate Democrats are
working to advance legislation to help local and state governments
better prevent, detect, and prosecute all forms of elder abuse.
Today marked an important step in the process as the Senate Civil
Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), unanimously voted to favorably advance Senate Bills 922–925 for the full chamber’s consideration. Introduced by Senators Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), this legislative package would enhance protections for vulnerable adults
by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation
offenses, while also developing programs to bolster prevention efforts.
“Our older adults and vulnerable residents deserve to live their lives free from exploitation and abuse,” said Sen. Klinefelt,
lead sponsor of the package. “With this legislation, we are taking
much-needed action to empower these individuals and ensure they have the
tools needed to safeguard their physical safety and financial
well-being. Today’s committee vote is a crucial step forward in the
process, and I look forward to getting these bills to the governor’s
desk for signature.”
“We owe so much to Michigan’s seniors who have spent their lives
protecting and providing for our communities. For too long, they’ve been
targeted and left vulnerable to financial exploitation, scams, and
fraud. These are real people, real families, and real savings at risk,”
said Sen. Anthony. “Now it’s our turn to protect and provide for
them. I’m happy to see these bills are making progress, bringing us one
step closer to a legal system that truly delivers justice for everyone
and safeguards those who have given so much to all of us.”
Senate Bill 922 (Klinefelt): Allows an individual who is 60 years
or older, is a vulnerable adult, or has a developmental disability to
petition the court to obtain an elder and vulnerable adult personal
protection order (PPO).
Senate Bill 923 (Anthony): Includes embezzlement of a vulnerable
adult as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to
pursue recovery of property under a 10-year statute of limitations (from
the current six-year statute of limitations).
Senate Bill 924 (Hertel): Extends legal protections beyond a
vulnerable adult’s death, ensuring that offenders who continue their
schemes posthumously face the same penalties as if the exploitation had
occurred while the vulnerable adult was alive.
Senate Bill 925 (Irwin): Allows each county or region to create a
vulnerable adult multidisciplinary team to take a holistic approach to
preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect,
and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults.
“Elder abuse and exploitation is a public health issue. It’s a social issue. And it’s an economic issue,” said Sen. Hertel.
“Addressing this pervasive and growing threat requires all of us to do
our part and work together to bolster support for our aging population
and close loopholes that jeopardize their well-being. This legislation
is an important step towards ensuring seniors and other vulnerable
adults here in Michigan are afforded the safety, dignity, and justice
they have earned and deserve.”
“All people, no matter their age or ability, deserve to live without the fear of being harmed or mistreated,” said Sen. Irwin. “Today, we’ve moved one step closer to ensuring vulnerable adults have additional protections against exploitation and abuse.”
During the committee process, this package garnered support from a
broad coalition of organizations including the Michigan Dept. of
Attorney General, the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, Michigan
Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Catholic Conference, and the Crime
Victims Legal Assistance Project.
“Our seniors and vulnerable adults deserve peace and dignity,” said Sen. Chang.
“As Chair of the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, I
proudly stand with committee members and bill sponsors to support this
bill package going to the full Senate. We are one step closer to better
ensuring Michigan’s most vulnerable residents are protected from abuse
and exploitation.”
This legislation now awaits the full Senate’s approval.
(KTLA)
– Legendary pop singer Frankie Valli says his choice to continue
performing into his 90s is his own, despite concerns about possible
elder abuse that stem from viral videos of the singer’s recent shows.
In a statement provided to People,
the frontman for the Four Seasons said he considers himself “blessed”
to be able to take the stage at the age of 90, saying he plans to
perform “as long as I am able.”
Frankie Valli performs on the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort on June 09, 2024, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. (Getty Images)
The response comes amid growing concerns of longtime fans and
first-time listeners who have reacted to recent performances of the
singer in which he’s been described as lethargic or disoriented and
even, a cardinal sin for vocalists, lip-syncing.
Videos shared to social media show Valli, real name Francesco
Castelluccio, performing on stage with a group of background singers,
his unmistakable tenor as loud and powerful as it’s ever been, despite
his lips barely moving.
The videos, shared primarily to TikTok, have led to jokes about
Valli’s appearance, age and mental capacity, with some going as far as
to wonder if he were being trotted out on stage against his will.
Frankie Valli performs on the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort on June 09, 2024 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. (Getty Images)
On Monday, the “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” singer refuted those claims.
“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately
so I wanted to clear the air,” the statement reads in part. “I get a
chuckle from the comments wondering if someone [is] forcing me to go on
stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”
Many social media commentators have described Valli as looking frail,
which is not unheard of for a 90-year-old who’s been performing for the
better part of seven decades.
But Valli insists that he’s still going strong and doesn’t plan to
stop performing as long as he can and as people keep coming to see him.
“I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show
because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still
rocks,” Vallie continued, adding that, despite being long in the tooth,
he feels like “that bunny on TV, that just keeps going and going and
going. Chasing the music.”
Valli still has a full slate of upcoming shows that will see him crisscrossing the nation, including five in Southern California taking place in November.
Family alleges Owasso nursing home changed voter party affiliation for dementia patient (KTUL)
OWASSO, OKLA (KTUL) — A man with
dementia at an Owasso nursing home allegedly had his voting party
changed by staff without permission from his guardians.
With
just 10 days left to register to vote, a family said they caught this
in time after they saw staff at The Highlands Nursing Home switch their
loved one's party affiliation.
The Family said this isn't about party, but rather avoiding election fraud.
As
November elections are coming up fast and the deadline to register is
days away, Tracy Hopkins' family said they're worried about how many
other people in nursing homes who can't make their own decisions have
this happening.
"I thought heck,
he's not going to be able to vote. He's incapacitated. He can't do it.
He can't logically take all the information and make a decision,"
Randall Newberry, Tracy's brother, said.
Newberry
said his brother suffered from a stroke some years back and recently
was diagnosed with dementia. That's when Tracy's parents, who are his
legal guardians, put him in The Highlands Nursing Home.
In
July, Newberry said he went to visit his brother and said this letter
was on the table saying Tracy's party affiliation was changing.
"He
had just been put in the facility 6 months or 8 months prior. I just
thought they were trying to catch up to him. I didn't know if it was
phishing or what it was," he said.
Then this past weekend,
Newberry went to visit his brother and saw Tracy's voter registration
card with his new party affiliation.
He
said Tracy legally and medically cannot make those decisions and he's
down to responding in one-word answers. Newberry said recently, his
brother was given six months to live.
News
Channel 8 spoke with Terrance Gibson with The Highlands. He said staff,
every election year, ask residents if they'd like to register to vote.
He said the Tulsa County Election Board didn't let them know Tracy
was already registered in Mayes County to move over his information.
He adds, that when his staff asked Tracy which party he wanted to be affiliated with he responded with "Democrat."
The Highlands owner, Steve, said Tracy's health capacity is low, but he believes he has the right to vote.
“We’re
trying to make sure those living in a nursing facility have as much of a
normal life as possible and be able to do things like voting," Steve
said over the phone.
Gibson
said they're working with the family to re-register him if they want to
and are working with Tulsa County Election Board to double-check all
100-plus residents.
He said,
“Residents, whether they’re here, at home, or at the hospital have
rights. We as providers want to protect those rights and have an
obligation to help them, if they choose, to register to vote and make
sure they get those absentee ballots.”
This comes after Governor
Kevin Stitt recently announced more than 450,000 voter registrations
were removed since 2021. 5,600 were felons.
144,000 moved out of state, and 97,000 died. Stitt's office said this is to reduce voter fraud.
Voting registration ends October 11th.
The
family and staff at The Highland are encouraging voters and families to
double-check voter registration before the deadline. To do so go to
your local election board.
The actor was also nominated for his role in 'Roots'
By
Brie Stimson
John Amos, who played the father on "Good Times," has died. He was 84 years old.
Amos’
publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the news of his death Tuesday to
The Associated Press. No other details were immediately available.
One
of Amos’ first prominent roles was as the WJM-TV weatherman on "The
Mary Tyler Moore Show." He was also frequently on "The Tim Conway Comedy
Hour," which ran in 1970, before he landed "Good Times" in 1974.
Amos was also nominated for his role in the 1977 miniseries "Roots."
Amos'
son K.C. said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, "It
is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has
transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold…
and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father.
He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works
in television and film as an actor."
Amos played James Evans Sr. on the Norman Lear-produced sitcom "Good Times," which ran from 1974 until 1979.
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz starred on 'American Pickers'
By
Lauryn Overhultz
Frank Fritz has died, Fox News Digital can confirm.
"We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and ‘American Pickers’ family,
Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024," The History
Channel and Cineflex Productions shared in a statement with Fox News
Digital. "Frank filmed ‘American Pickers’ for over a decade. We will
always remember ‘the bearded charmer’ and his never-ending search
for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved
ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed."
His
former co-star Mike Wolfe also posted about the "American Pickers"
star's death on Instagram. "It’s with a broken heart that I share with
all of you that Frank passed away last night," he wrote.
"I’ve [known] Frank for more [than] half my life and what you’ve seen on
TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as
sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a
way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself."
Danielle Colby, who also stars in "American Pickers," shared a tribute to the Midwestern native.
"Frank,
I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking
tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those
little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time," Colby wrote
on Instagram. "Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded
on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many
more."
Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022 and had been recovering.
"I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's life
and the journey he’s been on," Wolfe wrote on Instagram at the time.
"There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s
friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record
straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend."
"We
all do care about Frank, and we want him back on the show," Wolfe told
The Sun at the time. "I would love to talk with him again, we would
absolutely love to, but he just can’t get it right."
"Frank is
just going through a lot personally with addictions," he alleged. "It’s
unfortunate that he’s made decisions that have him the way he is."
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Pawtucket man has been accused of
sexually assaulting an older woman in the memory care unit at Tockwotton
Assisted Living Facility in East Providence.
R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha announced a statewide grand jury
returned an indictment on Tuesday charging Anthony Alario, 73, with one
count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree
sexual assault.
The alleged assault happened back in May. The attorney
general’s office said an employee at the nursing home witnessed and
reported the alleged assault.
Tockwotton released a statement saying that Alario was a guest
visiting the resident, and after a staff member reported the incident to
authorities, a no trespassing order “was issued immediately.” The
facility also said medical professionals were called to tend to and
evaluate the resident.
“At Tockwotton on the Waterfront, we work hard to ensure the safety
and security of our residents, visitors, and team members. We take our
responsibility to protect everyone in the Tockwotton family seriously
and are vigilant on their behalf,” the statement said.
The facility said in an effort to protect the privacy of the resident, they would not be providing any further details.
Alario is also a former pediatrician, according to the attorney general’s office.
Lifespan spokesperson Jessica Wharton confirmed Alario was terminated
from his employment at Lifespan “immediately” after he surrendered his
state medical license in May. R.I. Department of Health records show
Also voluntarily surrendered his license 10 days after the alleged assault.
“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations against a former
employee, Dr. Anthony Alario regarding his personal conduct,” Wharton
added.
Online court records show East Providence Police filed the complaint in September.
East Providence Police Captain Michael Rapoza told Target 12 the
department did not have a booking photo of Alario to share, and that as
of Thursday afternoon, Alario had not been brought to police department
to be processed.
Alario is set to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on Oct. 2.
Jennifer Faye McLester (Mobile Jail)Dauphin Island Tax Clerk arrested on exploitation of elderly charge
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WPMI) — Jennifer
Faye McLester, listed as the Rental and Tax Clerk on the Town of Dauphin
Island webpage, has been arrested on a Financial Exploitation of the
Elderly and a Sale of Securities charge.
McLester was booked just before 5pm Monday and is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing Wednesday morning.
According to Mayor Jeff Collier, the charges are not related to her job duties and her status with the Town has not changed.
According to court documents Jennifer McLester is accused of taking nearly $180,000 from two individuals.
In
the Financial Exploitation of the Elderly charge, Jennifer McLester is
accused of taking $92,000 from an elderly female by transferring the
money to her own account.
The charge of Fraud in Sale of Securities relates to Jennifer McLester
allegedly collecting approximately $87,000 from a second woman for the
purchase of CD’s (Certificates of Deposit) that were never purchased,
according to the complaint.
A Cochranton-area man has been sentenced to probation in connection
with financially taking advantage of his mother who is in a nursing
home.
Paul A. Shelgren was sentenced Thursday to 18 months of
probation plus court costs by Crawford County Court of Common Pleas
Judge Mark Stevens.
In August, Shelgren, 68, entered a best
interest guilty plea to financial exploitation of an older adult or
care-dependent person, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Under
a best interest guilty plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but does
admit he or she would be found guilty if the case went to trial.
West
Mead Township Police Department initially charged Shelgren with three
felony counts — theft by failure to make required disposition of funds,
theft by unlawful taking, and financial exploitation of an older adult
or care-dependent person.
Police alleged Shelgren failed to make payments totaling $10,095.50
to Embassy of Park Avenue, a nursing home in the township, for his
mother’s care. Shelgren had power of attorney for his mother and took
the money between Nov. 30, 2021, through July 20, 2022, to use as his
own, according to documents.
According to court records, Shelgren
signed an agreement with Embassy to pay for his mother’s care using her
personal funds and failed to abide by the agreement’s terms.
In a
plea agreement with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, which
prosecuted the case, Shelgren entered the best interest plea to the
financial exploitation count. In exchange for the plea, the financial
exploitation count was lowered from a felony to a first-degree
misdemeanor and the other two counts were not prosecuted.
Stevens
ordered any restitution due in the case was to be paid to Shelgren’s
mother, not Embassy as Embassy would have redress through civil court.
The amount of restitution owed to the woman was to be determined.
In
sentencing Shelgren to 18 months probation, Stevens said probation
could end after 12 months on two conditions — that Shelgren has no
probation violations after 12 months and that he was making efforts to
reduce the balance of money owed based on his own assets and income.
It aired in February and became one of the most watched shows in the network's history – but Williams received just $82,000 for the project, which her lawyers say exposed her.
Source: MEGA
The Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? premiered in February.
Her
legal team, in its complaint against Lifetime and its parent company
A&E Networks, wrote: "This is a paltry sum for the use of highly invasive, humiliating footage
that showed her in the confusing throes of dementia, while defendants,
who have profited on the streaming of the program, have likely already
earned millions."
Williams' attorneys previously tried to block the doc from airing.
The complaint continued: "No person who witnessed (Williams) in these circumstances could possibly have believed that she was capable of consenting to an agreement to film."
They
also claimed Williams was portrayed as a "laughingstock and drunkard,
implicitly responsible for her own continued suffering".
Source: MEGA
Williams apparently received just $82,000 for Where Is Wendy Williams?
And in 2023, Williams was diagnosed with aphasia – a disorder robbing sufferers of the use of language – as well as dementia, and was placed in a wellness facility.
The drama queen diva resurfaced for the first time in 19 months in late August when she was spotted shopping with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr.
An
insider said: "Wendy faces long-term care for the rest of her life, and
her wealth has dwindled considerably as she's no longer able to work."
A Pittsfield woman has been sentenced to lengthy probation for financial exploitation of the elderly in Pike County.
48-year old Brooke L. England pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the charge in front of Chief Judge J. Frank McCartney.
According to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, on February 2nd,
the Pike County Sheriff’s Department received information from a local
financial institution regarding suspicious transactions on an elderly
person’s bank account.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr said subsequent to an investigation, several
search warrants were issued and executed for banking and financial
records. It was determined through the course of the criminal
investigation that a significant amount of money was unlawfully taken
from the account. An exact amount of how much was taken has not been
disclosed.
Chief Deputy Orr submitted an investigative report to the Pike County
State’s Attorney’s Office for review and England was subsequently
charged with financial exploitation of the elderly between $5,000 and
$50,000, a Class 2 Felony.
On February 26th, England turned herself into the Pike County Sheriff’s Department where she was booked and released.
England was sentenced on Tuesday to 4 years of adult probation, and
ordered to pay an undisclosed county fine plus restitution in the amount
of $100 per month until the amount is deemed fulfilled by the court.
Richards Simmons' cause of death was 'recent falls' and 'heart disease,' according to his family
By
Lauryn Overhultz
Richard Simmons' family slammed his longtime housekeeper's petition to be reinstated as a co-trustee on the fitness star's estate as "greed."
The family fought back after Teresa Reveles claimed she had been pressured into signing documents removing her as a co-trustee.
"Richard’s
message was always one of joy and positivity. He would be heartbroken
to learn of Teresa’s greed and the way in which she has insulted and
publicly diminished their supposed three decades of friendship," the
family's spokesperson Tom Estey told Fox News Digital in a statement.
"Her actions threaten to harm Richard’s incredible legacy, which we are
working hard to preserve."
"Richard took impeccable care of Teresa and made sure even after his
passing that she was well taken care of. She is a significant
beneficiary of his will. She made an informed decision to decline to
serve as co-trustee of the estate, which does not affect her status as a
beneficiary at all."
Teresa Reveles is a beneficiary of Richard Simmons' estate.(All Access/Mega)
Simmons'
family's spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "He would be heartbroken
to learn of Teresa’s greed and the way in which she has insulted and
publicly diminished their supposed three decades of friendship."( Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images)
"The
allegations in the petition are completely and demonstrably false, and
we have informed her counsel of those facts. Teresa’s request to be
reinstated as co-trustee was declined because co-trustees must work
together in the best interests of the estate, and Teresa has shown by
her actions that she does not share those interests. Even now, two
months after he died, she is staying in his house, even though she has
her own residence, and she has attempted to charge the estate for her
living expenses. We also have learned that a documentary has been
pitched to Netflix that identifies Teresa as the principal source and
contributor and that we believe will be hurtful to Richard’s legacy."
"Unfortunately,
it appears that Teresa intends to waste the assets of the estate, which
otherwise would go to the beneficiaries, to pursue meritless and
pointless litigation. When the court is apprised of the facts that
already have been given to Teresa’s attorney, we are confident that the
court will deny the petition."
Richard Simmons employed Teresa Reveles for over 30 years.(Scott Roth/FilmMagic)
Reveles filed her petition to be reinstated as a co-trustee of Simmons' estate on Wednesday.
"For
nearly thirty-six (36) years, Teresa lived with Richard, cared for him,
and was his closest friend and devoted confidant. Not surprisingly,
Richard named Teresa as one of his successor Trustees of his Trust,
wanting and expecting that she would be responsible for administering
his Trust should he predecease her," the petition read, according to People magazine.
According to Reveles' petition, Simmons' brother Lenny and his wife
Cathy requested the longtime housekeeper sign away her role as
co-trustee days after the fitness guru passed. At the time, Reveles was
"understandably distraught."
Reveles claimed she believed she could lose her inheritance if she did not sign the paperwork, the petition said.
Fitness icon, Richard Simmons, died on July 13. He was 76. ( Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Richard Simmons' family revealed that he died from "recent falls" and "heart disease."(Getty Images)
Simmons died July 13 at his home in Los Angeles. He had celebrated his 76th birthday the day before.
Reveles found the fitness instructor in his bedroom after his death.
"When I saw him, he looked peaceful," she told People magazine adding that his hands were balled into fists. "That’s why I know it was a heart attack."
"I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same."
The family later announced that Simmons had passed away
from recent falls with heart disease as a contributing factor. The
official cause of death was listed as a "sequelae of blunt traumatic
injuries." "Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease" was listed as a
contributing factor on the autopsy report released by the County of Los
Angeles Medical Examiner.
The Senior Source is the ombudsman for Dallas County and ensures that 16,000 residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities get dignified care each year.
By Meg Townsend
When considering a move to a care facility, it’s imperative that older
adults and their loved ones understand the rights guaranteed to
residents. Ombudsmen like The Senior Source’s Arreale Turner (left) act
as advocates for residents.(Courtesy The Senior Source)
Dallas County nursing home resident Ann
(name changed for confidentiality) has multiple sclerosis and is in bed
most of every day. One day she was trying to summon the nursing staff
through her call button; however, she found she couldn’t operate it
because of weakness in her hands. She told facility staff, saying she
worried that she wouldn’t be able to alert them when she needed
assistance in the future. Her concerns were ignored. Ann was also
concerned the nursing facility was understaffed at night, and that she
was receiving her medication hours later than she should. Feeling
frustrated that no one was listening to her, she turned to her ombudsman
for help.
Ombudsmen (derived from a
Scandinavian term that means “advocate”) are independent spokespersons
who give a voice to the residents of nursing homes and assisted living
facilities, ensuring that residents’ needs are heard, met and addressed,
as mandated by state and federal law.
In Dallas County, The Senior Source
houses ombudsman services and oversees 79 nursing homes and 197
assisted living facilities. The ombudsman program is a valuable resource
to individuals and families navigating life in a care facility
(especially for residents who may not have family nearby), as well as
families choosing facilities for their loved ones.
After
an ombudsman heard Ann’s complaints and advocated on her behalf to the
facility’s management, reiterating her rights as a resident and
developing a plan to address her needs, Ann’s care improved
significantly. She now has consistent access to staff who are trained to
address her needs, and the facility installed a special call button for
her that she activates with her chin when she needs help.
‘It’s important for residents to know their rights’
Choosing
to move to a long-term care facility is a difficult decision for
individuals and the loved ones who care for them. It’s also a common
decision: 70% of older adults will need some kind of long-term care in
their lives, whether for rehabilitation after surgery or for specialized
care in a nursing home.
If and when it does happen, though, “It
is so important for residents to know their rights,” says Suzanna
Sulfstede, director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at The
Senior Source. Those rights include all the same rights that they had
before moving into a facility — plus a few more as designated by federal
and state law.
October is Residents’
Rights Month, as designated by The National Consumer Voice for Quality
Long-Term Care, and there’s no better time to revisit the laws that
protect older adults living in nursing facilities. Under the 1987
Nursing Home Reform Law, nursing homes are required to “promote and
protect the rights of each resident.” Federal and state laws protect residents of nursing homes and state laws protect residents of assisted living facilities.
These laws are not voluntary; they’re mandatory and facilities are held
accountable for their adherence to these laws. A nursing home’s
participation in Medicare and Medicaid is contingent upon meeting these
federal residents’ rights requirements.
Residents have a right to:
All of the same rights they have as citizens of this country
Be treated with dignity and respect
Be free from abuse and neglect
Live in safe, decent, clean conditions
Be involved in making decisions about their care
Receive visitors
Have an electronic monitoring device in their room
Not be discharged, except for very limited, specific reasons
Express concerns without fear of discrimination or retaliation
For residents who cannot advocate for
their rights on their own, an ombudsman fills the gap. “It is equally
important for them to know that an ombudsman is available to protect
their rights and be their advocate,” Sulfstede says. “Every day we see
the difference an ombudsman makes in a resident’s life. Issues get
resolved and quality of life improves.”
Care
facilities are required to post information about the ombudsman program
that serves it on both the facility’s website and at the facility
itself. An ombudsman’s services are free of charge and their contact
information should be accessible by any person in the facility. Since
The Senior Source provides all ombudsman care for Dallas County, a list
of ombudsmen for individual facilities can also be found on the nonprofit’s website.
What does an ombudsman do?
An
ombudsman advocates for a resident upon request, when a resident
reaches out, and through regular, unannounced visits to facilities.
During these visits, ombudsmen talk with each resident about their care
and may also talk to family members. Ombudsmen will work to resolve
complaints on behalf of residents. The process is confidential and led
by the resident, meaning that an ombudsman will not take action without
the express consent of the resident or that person’s legally authorized
representative, such as a power of attorney or guardian. Residents must
also consent to who the ombudsman speaks with, as residents or their
family may be uncomfortable with the ombudsman speaking with a
particular staff member at the facility.
Ombudsmen
listen to residents’ concerns, determine whether an investigation is
needed and provide recommendations for possible courses of action to
address complaints. Residents and family members should know that
ombudsmen are independent from the facility and that all services are
confidential.
Ombudsmen at The Senior
Source also educate residents and facility staff about residents’ rights
and abuse and neglect. These advocates are so sought after for their
expertise that they also make policy recommendations to government
agencies and elected officials. These ombudsmen have recently spent time
advocating for a federal rule to implement a mandatory staffing ratio
at nursing facilities.
In addition to
advocacy for residents, ombudsmen help guide people in the community
throughout the process of choosing a facility for a loved one. While
they do not refer you to a specific facility, they can counsel families
about specific needs or provide insight about common complaints
addressed at certain facilities. Ombudsmen can also help individuals
access information from the state’s most recent licensing inspection so
that families looking to choose a facility are informed and confident in
their decision.
How you can help
To extend its reach, The Senior Source also utilizes volunteer long-term care ombudsmen
who are trained through a 36-hour certification course. This ensures
that advocacy is available for even more residents in long-term care
facilities across the county. “With the rising number of residents who
are going into care, [it’s] a supportive mechanism to ensure quality
health care and safety,” says Lue Sumlin, a certified volunteer
ombudsman with the program. “The volunteer ombudsman position also
serves a vital role with the families of those in the long-term care
facilities. The families know there is an extra eye and help to their
loved ones.”
The Friendly Visitor Program,
also created and run by The Senior Source, is another way the
organization provides care and advocacy for older adults. Groups of
volunteers engage in fun and meaningful activities with adults living in
long-term care facilities across Dallas County.
Additionally,
The Senior Source serves older adults and their families through a
variety of free resources beyond ombudsman services, including:
Caregiver support groups and one-on-one care consultations for those who provide care for their older relatives
Education, resources and tools to help prevent financial fraud and scams from happening to seniors
Budgeting and signing up for state and federal benefits
For seniors seeking employment: webinars, mock phone interviews and resume review
For more information about The Senior Source, visit their website.
In a heartwarming tale of resilience and loyalty, a dog named Scout
captured the hearts of a Michigan care facility’s staff and residents.
Scout’s incredible journey began when he escaped from a nearby animal
shelter, not just once, but three times, each time making his way to the
same place: Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. This nursing home,
located about an hour northeast of Traverse City, primarily cares for
seniors, providing a serene environment for those in their twilight
years. Scout’s story is one of determination and an unbreakable bond.
Scout’s escape was no ordinary feat. He managed to scale two fences,
dodge highway traffic, and navigate his way into the nursing home’s
lobby, where he found a cozy couch to curl up on for the night. It was
as if he knew exactly where he was going and what he was looking for.
The next morning, a nurse discovered the unexpected visitor and quickly
realized that Scout was no ordinary stray.
Scout’s mysterious background only added to his allure. He was a
stray with no known history, named by the shelter staff who noticed his
wary demeanor and cautious approach. Upon closer inspection, they
discovered BBs or birdshot lodged in his jowl, evidence of a troubled
past. Despite this, Scout exhibited an extraordinary determination and
intelligence, traits that would endear him to the staff and residents of
Meadow Brook.
After his initial discovery, a sheriff returned Scout to the shelter.
However, this tenacious dog had other plans. Like a character from a
feel-good movie, he returned to the same nursing home couch, not just
once, but twice more. Each time, he overcame obstacles and risks, driven
by an inexplicable urge to be at Meadow Brook.
Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility, with its 82 beds spread across
several households, provides long-term care for seniors dealing with
terminal illnesses, dementia, or loneliness. The facility is known for
its compassionate care and homely atmosphere, making it an ideal
sanctuary for both humans and animals. It was here that Scout chose to
make his new home, and his repeated visits did not go unnoticed by the
staff.
Marna Robertson, the nursing home’s administrator, was particularly
struck by Scout’s determination. “I’m a person who looks at outward
signs, and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. He did that one time,
two times, three times, and obviously that’s something that you should
pay attention to,” she said. Recognizing the significance of Scout’s
actions, Robertson asked the staff, “Well, he wants to be here. Would
anybody like to have a dog?” The response was a resounding yes.
And so, Meadow Brook welcomed its newest resident—Scout, the wonder
dog. The staff officially adopted him, and the seniors were thrilled to
have a new furry friend. Rhonda Thomczak, administrative assistant at
Glacier Hill, where Scout first settled, noted, “I think it reminds them
of being home.” Scout quickly became more than just a pet; he was a
companion and a source of comfort for the 20 or so seniors at Glacier
Hill.
Scout’s presence brought a sense of joy and normalcy to the
residents. He roamed the halls freely, visiting with residents and lying
down wherever he pleased. His intelligence was evident as he learned to
use his paws to open doors and figured out which residents kept dog
biscuits hidden in their walkers. Jenni Martinek, the household
coordinator, observed, “To each and every one of them, it’s their dog.”
Scout even had his own bed and toys in Martinek’s office, further
solidifying his place in the Meadow Brook family.
The nursing staff, touched by Scout’s story, held a fundraiser in his
name, raising hundreds of dollars for the animal shelter that initially
took him in. Scout’s popularity grew, and people even visited the
facility just to meet the dog they had seen on social media. His fame
reached new heights when he was named “Resident of the Month” in
February, with a poster declaring, “We woof you! Thank you for adopting
us!”
Despite his newfound celebrity, Scout remained a mysterious figure.
“All they knew is he was abused. He was just very scared,” Martinek
explained. His behavior showed the scars of his past, like a subtle
cower in his walk and nervousness around loud noises or unfamiliar men.
Yet, his determination to be at Meadow Brook suggested he had found a
place where he felt safe and needed.
“Maybe he felt like it was a safe environment,” Robertson speculated.
“He certainly has a penchant for the elders. If they have dementia or
if they’re not going to be around much longer, he knows that, and he
will go and be with them and comfort them. He must’ve just felt like he
needed to be here.” Indeed, Scout had become the nursing home’s
unofficial guardian.
“He’s always watching, making sure everybody’s OK,” Martinek said.
“If somebody is in the passing process, he’s in and out of the room,
checking on them.” Stephanie Elsey, the facility’s clinical care
coordinator, added, “He makes a good nursing home dog. He knows his job
and he’s good at what he does.”
Scout’s impact extended beyond comforting the sick or lonely. On a
day when resident Butch Craig was upset because a friend missed a
promised visit, Scout was there. Alongside staff members and other
residents, he attended a spontaneous pizza party to cheer Craig up.
Though he didn’t eat any pizza, he lay at the feet of his human friends,
quietly content.
Scout’s ability to provide emotional support and companionship was
invaluable. “I think he knows that this is his home and he is all of
ours, so that gives him a sense of security,” Thomczak reflected. Scout
may not be able to talk, but he certainly knows how to give and receive
love.
In choosing Meadow Brook, Scout didn’t just find a home; he created one.
His presence brought joy, comfort, and a sense of family to the
residents and staff. Scout’s story is a testament to the power of love
and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. This remarkable dog
not only adopted the care facility staff but also found a place where
he truly belonged, bringing light and happiness to everyone around him.
Click the video below to watch this incredible story!
